New Online Training – Early Childhood Oral Health: Case Studies From General Practice, Australia
Early childhood oral health management skills are the focus of a new online learning activity from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
The new activity, available on the gplearning website, is called Early childhood oral health: case studies from general practice and supports general practitioners and practice nurses to effectively perform their critical role in identifying, preventing and managing early childhood caries. The activity was developed in conjunction with the Centre for Oral Health Strategy, NSW.
Dr Ron McCoy, RACGP spokesperson and general practitioner, said that good oral health is essential for general health and wellbeing, in particular in babies, and that GPs are in an ideal position to manage early childhood oral health.
“Healthy baby teeth have multiple important functions. Primary care clinicians are strategically placed to have substantial positive impacts on the oral health of young children. Many different groups within the community are at increased risk for early childhood caries and these people need to receive effective education to prevent this at every opportunity,” he said.
By the end of this activity participants should be able to:
– Describe the critical role that primary health care practitioners have in assessing the oral health of children younger than 6 years of age
– Describe the tooth decay process
– Identify at least four risk factors for early childhood caries
– Discuss at least four consequences of early childhood caries
– Describe three visual signs of good oral health that can be observed in a brief check
– Provide effective advice to caregivers regarding early childhood caries prevention
– State when it is generally recommended for children to start using child strength fluoride toothpaste and adult strength
– State at least one method that would assist a general practice team to remember to check the oral health of young children
– Identify when dental emergencies require urgent referral.
The activity has been approved by the RACGP QA&CPD Program for 2 Category 2 points and is endorsed by APEC number 018030901 as authorised by the Royal College of Nursing, Australia (RCNA) according to approved criteria. Completion attracts 1 RCNA Continuing Nurse Education (CNE) point as part of RCNA’s Life Long Learning Program (3LP).
Source
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
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